Liquid applied roofing systems and methods for forming roofs

ABSTRACT

A method of forming a sloped roof can comprise obtaining a base layer comprising at least one of a permeable mesh, woven fabric, non-woven fabric, plastic, foam material or combinations thereof; applying the base layer over a roofing substrate of the sloped roof; and applying a liquid roofing material to the base layer to form a liquid applied roof.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/037,053, filed Sep. 29, 2020, which claimsbenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/908,131, filedSep. 30, 2019, and claims the benefit of the filing dates of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/908,765, filed Oct. 1, 2019; andU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/908,679, filed Oct. 1, 2019.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The disclosures and figures of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/037,053, filed Sep. 29, 2020, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/908,131, filed Sep. 30, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/908,765, filed Oct. 1, 2019; and U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/908,679, filed Oct. 1, 2019, are incorporated by reference hereinfor all purposes as if fully set forth in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to roofing and, more specifically, tothe application and use of liquid roofing materials for forming roofs,including steep slope residential roofs, and temporary water sheddingroofs that can be converted to a permanent roof at a later time.

BACKGROUND

Residential roofing has been dominated by shingle, tile, or slate for along time. On the other hand, liquid applied waterproof roofing hasproven to be a cost effective high performance roof covering for lowslope commercial buildings. While liquid roofing materials have beenused on low slope commercial roofs for some time, the use of liquidroofing materials on steep slope residential roofs has been hampered bythe difficulty of preventing or controlling flowing and sagging of theliquid roofing material before it cures. A need exists for systems andmethods for preventing or at least controlling flowing and sagging whena liquid applied roofing is applied to a steep slope roof or otherpitched surface. A further need exists to form a watertight seal betweenthe roofing product and various structures projecting from the roof suchas, for example, ridge vents, attic vents, furnace vents, and the like.

In addition, natural disasters, such as hurricanes and tornados, oftenstrip roofing shingles and other roofing products off many roofs in onearea at one time. This invariably results in a shortage of materials andlabor in the area for replacing the damaged roofs. It can take days orweeks before a permanent replacement roof can be installed. During thistime, rainwater can penetrate to the interior of a home causing seriousdamage. There is a need for a temporary roofing system that is easy andquick to install, forms a seal against water penetration, is far lesslabor and material dependent than a permanent roof, and is convertibleto a permanent roof at a later time when labor and material supplieshave been replenished.

The present disclosure is directed to roofing systems and methods thataddress the foregoing and other related, and unrelated, issues in theart.

SUMMARY

Briefly described, according to the present disclosure, sagging ofliquid roofing materials sprayed, rolled, or otherwise applied ordeposited onto a roof substrate or other surface that is pitched morethan about 30 degrees (e.g. a steep slope roof) can be controlledmechanically, chemically, or by adding fillers or other materials to aliquid roofing material prior to application thereof.

An aspect of the present disclosure includes systems for preventing,controlling, or inhibiting flowing and sagging of a liquid roofingmaterial applied to a roofing substrate or surface of a sloped roof, forexample, a roof pitched at greater than 30 degrees, such as describedwith respect to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Another aspect of the present disclosure includes methods of preventing,controlling, or inhibiting flowing and sagging of a liquid roofingmaterial applied to a roofing substrate or surface of a sloped roof, forexample, a roof pitched at greater than 30 degrees, such as describedwith respect to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

By way of example, and without limitation, in one embodiment, a slopedroof can be formed by a method including, obtaining a base layer, whichcan comprise at least one of a permeable mesh, woven fabric, non-wovenfabric, plastic, foam material or combinations thereof; applying thebase layer over a roofing substrate of the sloped roof; and applying aliquid roofing material to the base layer to form a liquid applied roof.

In one embodiment, applying the base layer can comprise attaching thebase layer to the roofing substrate using fasteners.

Additionally, the method can include attaching a roof mounted structureor other structure over the base layer and to the roofing substrate withfasteners, with a portion of the base layer extending past a bottomsurface of the roof mounted structure. The liquid roofing material alsocan be adapted to flow about the fasteners and at least partially intoopenings formed thereby.

In one embodiment, the roof mounted structure can comprise a drip edgehaving a forward edge positioned over a lower edge of the roofingsubstrate, and the method further can comprise positioning anunderlayment along the roofing substrate with at least a portion or theunderlayment overlapping at least a portion of the base layer. A waterdrainage path can be defined along the roofing substrate and over theforward edge of the drip edge.

The method also can comprise positioning an underlayment along at leasta portion of the roofing substrate, with at least a portion of theunderlayment partially overlapping the base layer. The underlayment canbe permeable so as to enable penetration of at least a portion of theliquid roofing material therethrough.

The liquid roofing material can pass through at least a portion of thebase layer so as to seal the base layer.

Furthermore, the method can comprise positioning spacers between thebase layer and the roofing substrate, with a space defined below thebase layer, and receiving at least a portion of the liquid roofingmaterial in the space.

In still a further embodiment, an emergency, temporary roofing systemcan be formed along the roof structure, including a base layercomprising a mesh or fabric sheet that is lipophilic, and which will becoated or covered with a top layer of material that is sufficientlyhydrophobic to repel and shed rainwater. The temporary roofing systemcan be rolled onto roof that has been damaged or stripped, and fastenedto the roofing substrate or deck to provide immediate, temporaryprotection from rain for the building and roof structure below, whichprotection can last for weeks or months. When materials and labor areavailable, the hydrophobic top layer can be removed, such as by beingpeeled off, dissolved, or otherwise removed, and a liquid roofingmaterial can be applied to the lipophilic base. The liquid roofingmaterial will soak, wet or substantially penetrate or be absorbed intothe mesh or fabric material of the base layer to an extent sufficient toform a bond therewith and create a permanent protective roof.

As an example, and without limitation, in one embodiment, a temporaryroofing system can include a base layer and a protective layer. The baselayer can comprise a mesh or fabric having lipophilic properties andadapted to be applied to a roofing substrate. The protective layer canbe positioned along an upper facing surface of the base layer, andcomprise a hydrophobic material. The protective layer is removable andadapted to reduce water flow through the base layer. The base layer isconfigured to receive a liquid roofing material to form a permanentroofing structure.

The protective layer can comprise a sheet of the hydrophobic materialreleasably attached to the upper facing surface of the base layer.

The base layer further can comprise a mesh or fabric configured to beoverlaid onto the roofing substrate, and the protective layer cancomprise a lipophilic coating applied to the base layer.

The lipophilic coating can comprise a material adapted to dissolve uponcontact with the liquid roofing material.

The base layer further can comprise a plurality of restraining featuresadapted to restrain flow of the liquid roofing material.

In another aspect, the present disclosure comprises methods of forming asloped roof with roof mounted structures installed therealong, forliquid applied roofing systems as embodied in the examples described andillustrated in the present disclosure. For example, and withoutlimitation a method of forming a sloped roof may comprise obtaining abase layer comprising a permeable mesh, woven fabric, non-woven fabric,plastic, foam material or combinations thereof, positioning the baselayer over at least a portion of a roofing substrate of the sloped roof;and coating the base layer with a liquid roofing material. The baselayer can be adapted to allow penetration of the liquid roofing materialtherethrough and restrain flow of the liquid roofing material along theroofing substrate.

Additionally, the method can include introducing fillers into the liquidroofing material prior to coating the base layer with the liquid roofingmaterial.

In one embodiment, obtaining the base layer can comprise obtaining apermeable web or sheet configured with a plurality of restrainingfeatures adapted to restrain flowing of the liquid roofing material.

The liquid roofing material further can comprise at least one of bulkingmaterials, fillers or combinations thereof.

Also, the method further can comprises attaching a roof mountedstructure to the roofing substrate with fasteners, with the liquidroofing material being adapted to flow about the fasteners and at leastpartially into openings formed in the roofing substrate by thefasteners.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a temporary roofingmaterial is provided substantially as embodied in the examples describedin the present disclosure. Still another aspect of the presentdisclosure includes methods of roofing residential and other roofstructures substantially as embodied in the examples described in thepresent disclosure.

As yet another example, and without limitation, a method of forming asloped roof can comprise applying the liquid roofing material along asurface of a roofing substrate of the sloped roof and, as the liquidroofing material is applied to the roofing substrate, introducing aplurality of bulking materials into the liquid roofing material. Thebulking materials can be mixed with the liquid roofing material so as torestrain flowing of the liquid roofing material along the surface of theroofing substrate. The plurality of bulking materials can include astring or yarn. And, the method further can comprise applying one ormore additional liquid roofing materials along the roofing substrate.

In further aspects, a roof mounted structure, such as a ridge vent,attic vent, twirl vent, or other roof mounted structure can be mountedalong the roofing substrate or deck of a sloped or pitched roof, such asby fasteners driven through a portion of the roof mounted structure andthe roofing substrate or deck. Other types of roof mounted structures,such as a drip edge and/or other structures, also can be mounted alongthe roof. The roof mounted structure typically has a body that projectsupwardly from a roof when the structure is mounted to the roofingsubstrate or deck. At least one base layer will be applied over theroofing substrate or deck, generally positioned below the roof mountedstructure, with a portion of the base layer projecting or extendingoutwardly from a bottom portion of the body of the roof mountedstructure and along the roofing substrate or deck.

The base layer can include a material that is pervious to a liquidroofing material, for example, in one embodiment, including a fabric ormesh material that can be embedded in and integrated with the liquidroofing material when the liquid roofing material is applied and cured.Alternatively, the base layer can include a more rigid material withholes to allow the liquid roofing material to seep or pass through andbeneath the base layer so that the base layer becomes embedded in theliquid roofing material when cured.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages will be understoodbetter upon review of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates coverage of a sloped roof using a liquid roofingmaterial applied according to the principles of the present disclosureand having a short setting time.

FIG. 2 illustrates the results of applying a liquid roofing materialwith a short setting time according to the principles of the presentdisclosure to a sloped roof surface having a 60 degree pitch.

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment according to the principles of thepresent disclosure, illustrating application of a liquid roofingmaterial with fillers that restrain sagging.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment according to the principles of thepresent disclosure, illustrating application of a liquid roofingmaterial with colored PVC flakes in addition to fillers.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment according to the principles of thepresent disclosure, illustrating application of a liquid roofingmaterial with embedded expanded polystyrene foam beads in addition tofillers.

FIGS. 6A-D illustrate another embodiment according to the principles ofthe present disclosure, illustrating application of a liquid roofingmaterial onto examples of a single mesh reinforced fabric underlayment(FIGS. 6A-B) and onto two non-reinforced fabric underlayments (FIGS.6C-D).

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross section of a membrane or roofing structureformed by the cured liquid roofing material and reinforced meshunderlayment of FIGS. 6A-B.

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment according to the principles of thepresent disclosure, illustrating application of a liquid roofingmaterial to a surface pitched at 60 degrees with a fabric underlaymentor base layer.

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment according to the principles of thepresent disclosure, illustrating application of a liquid roofingmaterial to a surface pitched at 60 degrees with a mesh underlayment orbase layer.

FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment according to the principles ofthe present disclosure, including a base layer formed with restrainingprojections configured to control flowing and sagging of a liquidroofing material.

FIG. 11A-11B show still another embodiment according to the principlesof the present disclosure, illustrating application of a liquid roofingmaterial and a bulking material to a roofing substrate or surface tocontrol sagging of the liquid roofing material therealong.

FIGS. 12A-12B illustrate another embodiment of a sloped roof structurewith of a roof mounted structure, shown as a ridge vent, that embodiesand exemplifies principles of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 13A-13B illustrate another embodiment of a sloped roof with a roofmounted structure that embodies and exemplifies principles of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment of a roof mounted structure,comprising a drip edge for forming a sloped roof that embodies andexemplifies principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the drip edge of FIG. 14 .

FIG. 16A-16B are partial cut-away views of the drip edge of FIG. 14 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various example embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawingfigures. Throughout the description, the term “liquid roofing material”refers to any of a number of coatings, sealants or other roofingmaterials applied in liquid form to a substrate or decks of systems andmethods of forming steep sloped or pitched roof structures having liquidroofing materials. Example liquid roofing materials can include,TOPCOAT® brand liquid roofing, Roofmate® brand coatings, Instaset® brandcoatings, and Streetbond® brand coatings all available from GAF ofParsippany, N.J. Many other coatings that are applied as a liquid andcure to form a waterproof membrane are available or can be createdaccording to principles of the present disclosure.

More generically, the term “liquid roofing material” may refer to aroofing formulation applied as a liquid with viscosity between 100centipoises (“CPS”) and 10,000,000 CPS and containing 20% to 100% weightpercentage of resin materials. Unless otherwise specified, theviscosities detailed herein are measured at 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Insome embodiments, the liquid roofing material can include formulationswith viscosities between 100 CPS to 1,000,000 CPS; 100 CPS to 500,000CPS; 100 CPS to 100,000 CPS; 100 CPS to 50,000 CPS; 1,000 CPS to 10,000CPS; 5,000 CPS to 50,000 CPS; 10,000 CPS to 100,000 CPS; 50,000 CPS to500,000 CPS; 100,000 CPS to 1,000,000 CPS. In addition, the liquidroofing material can include resin materials in ranges of 20% to 90%;20% to 80%; 20% to 70%; 20% to 60%; 20% to 50%; 20% to 40%; 20% to 30%;30% to 90%; 30% to 80%; 30% to 70%; 30% to 60%; 30% to 50%; 30% to 40%;40% to 90%; 40% to 80%; 40% to 70%; 40% to 60%; 40% to 50%; 50% to 90%;50% to 80%; 50% to 70%; 50% to 60%; 60% to 90%; 60% to 80%; 60% to 70%;70% to 90%; 70% to 80%; or 80% to 90%.

Resin materials for use with or as a part of the liquid roofing materialmay include, without limitation, polysiloxane, polyurea, polyurethane,silane modified ether, silane modified ester, silane modifiedpolyurethane, silane modified polyurea, epoxy, acrylic, poly acrylic, orany precursors that will crosslink after application to form suchpolymers, or any combination of the above. A “liquid applied roof” is aroof resulting from the application of a liquid roofing material.

The term “roofing” is used to simplify the description herein. However,this term is meant to encompass any part of a building structure and itsadditions, peripherals, or attachments, including sloped or pitchedroofs that have a slope between 30 degrees and 180 degrees (meaning theback side of the structure). In embodiments, the slope can be between 30degrees and 80 degrees, 30 degrees and 70 degrees, 30 degrees and 60degrees, 30 degrees and 50 degrees, 30 degrees and 40 degrees, 30degrees and 90 degrees, 40 degrees and 90 degrees, 50 degrees and 90degrees, 60 degrees and 90 degrees, or 70 degrees and 90 degrees. Thisterm also encompasses flat roofs or roofs that include sloped/pitchedand flat portions.

Embodiments of the present disclosure further are not limited tocommercial or residential structures, and are applicable to a variety ofbuilding structures and building components. For example, in addition toroofing structures or systems, various embodiments and features of thesystems and methods can be used with walls, such as perpendicular,slanted or slope walls or partitions, permanent and temporarypartitions, beams, columns, slabs, etc. or other features or componentsof commercial, residential, temporary or other building structures.

Still further, embodiments of the present disclosure also can be useswith other structures or structural components, such as for use withvehicle structures, e.g. motor vehicle structures and components (e.g.,vehicle body, chassis, or other structural components of a motorvehicle), aerial vehicle structures and components (e.g., fuselage,wings, airfoil or other structural component of an aerial vehicle), ormaritime vehicles and components (e.g., hull, propeller/rotor, or otherstructural component of a maritime vehicle).

Liquid roofing materials are applied on such structures with an initialwet thickness between 5 and 500 mils in a single pass, and/or areapplied to form a dry film having a thickness between 3 and 250 milswith a single pass. Multiple passes also can be used to build up morethickness if necessary, with each pass having similar thickness ranges.Other thickness ranges also can be used for example, and withoutlimitation, initial wet thicknesses of 5-400 mils, 5-300 mils, 5-200mils, 5-100 mils, 5-50 mils, 10-500 mils, 200-500 mils, 300-500 milsand/or dry film thicknesses of 3-200 mils, 3-150 mils, 3-100 mils, 3-50mils, 10-50 mils, 25-250 mils, 50-250 miles, 100-250 mils, 150-250 mils,or 200-250 mils, or 400-500 mils; or other suitable ranges, can be used.“Roofing” may include any original or modified material including wooddecking, roof membranes, roof panels, asphalts, soil, or pre-existingcoatings, but does not include traditional shingles, roof tiles, or roofslates.

The terms “fabric,” or “underlayment fabric,” and terms of similarimport may refer to a woven or non-woven material, a mesh, open-cellfoam, or similar material to which a liquid roofing material sticks orinto which a liquid roofing material soaks, or that is at leastpartially soluble in a liquid roofing material when applied. These termsinclude composite structures containing woven or nonwoven material,meshes, open cell foam, and other materials. Fabrics are generally usedas or incorporated into underlayments for liquid roofing materials. Thefabrics can include aesthetic features printed, woven, or otherwiseprovides thereon to provide the structures with certain designs,appearances, textures, etc.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to formation ofroof structures using liquid roofing materials, whereby flowabilityand/or sagging of a liquid roofing material during or upon applicationto a pitched surface can be controlled. The result is a roof membranewith a relatively uniform thickness in each application pass, formingsubstantially monolithic coverage with uniform thickness, and achievelonger service life and better weathering ability. The resultingmembrane or cure liquid roofing material further can act as a vaporpermeable water shedding layer for the structure.

In some embodiments, sagging can be contained by applying a liquidroofing material having a short setting time of less than 60 seconds toa roofing substrate or base layer of a steep slope roof. The shortsetting time can include 30 seconds to 60 seconds, 40 seconds to 60seconds, or 50 seconds to 60 seconds. For example, in an example shownin FIG. 1 , a liquid roofing material 102 including a Topcoat® brand topcoat liquid roofing material with a short setting time was applied to amodel steep slope roof 104 and allowed to cure. The short setting timeof the liquid roofing material 102 successfully controlled sagging andresulted in a roofing membrane 106 formed along the steep slope roof 104with substantially constant thickness. The setting or open time fortypical silicone coatings such as Topcoat® is between 30-90 minutes,whereas setting time for acrylic coatings typically is between 2-4hours.

In another embodiment, the flowing and sagging of liquid roofingmaterials on pitched surfaces of a steep slope roof can be controlled byadding solid fillers to the liquid roofing materials. The particles ofthe fillers should approximate a desired application thickness of theliquid roofing material. In this way, the flowing and sagging behaviorof binders in the liquid roofing material tend to be restrained by thefillers. Such fillers can be incorporated into some commerciallyavailable liquid roofing products such as Instaset® and Streetbond®discussed above.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a roofing membrane 108 created byapplication of a liquid roofing material including Instaset® 110 to awooden roofing substrate or deck surface 112 pitched at 60 degrees. FIG.3 illustrates a roofing membrane 114 created by application of a liquidroofing material including Streetbond® 116 to a wooden roofing substratesurface 118 pitched at 60 degrees. In each case, no or very littlesagging was observed and a substantially uniform thickness was obtained.

In a further embodiment, sagging can be restrained further by theaddition of ancillary fillers to liquid roofing materials. FIG. 4illustrates an example including the addition of PVC flakes or particles120 as an ancillary filler introduced into liquid roofing material 122(e.g., a silicone-based liquid roofing material) prior to itsapplication along a base layer or roofing substrate or deck. Not only dothe flakes restrain flowing and sagging, they also lend an interestingappearance and texture to the liquid roofing material 122. The liquidroofing material 122 is transparent in this example.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of adding expanded polystyrene foam beads124 as an ancillary filler in a liquid roofing material 126 (e.g.,including an acrylate-based liquid roofing coating). Flowing and saggingwere successfully restrained by the embedded beads and a substantiallyuniform thickness also was obtained.

Additional layers of liquid roofing material also can be applied to theresultant, cured liquid roofing materials 122/126 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example to fill gaps and to create a unitary, monolithic, anduniform membrane.

Flowing and sagging behavior of a liquid roofing material further can berestrained in additional, other embodiments by pre-installing a baselayer, which can include a failure or mesh material positionedover/along a substrate or roof deck a pitched roof. As illustrated inFIGS. 6A-B, in such an embodiment, a mesh base layer 130 can be rolled,laid or otherwise positioned or applied to a pitched or sloped roofingsubstrate 132. A liquid roofing material 134 is then applied over themesh base layer 130. The mesh size of the base layer can depend on therheology of the liquid roofing material used. For example, more flowablematerials may require a smaller mesh size, while less flowable materialsmay require larger mesh size. Thus, the mesh base layer can be selectedand/or configured based on slope or pitch of the roofing substrate andthe flowability of the of the liquid roofing material, e.g., to confinethe flowing and sagging of the liquid roofing material to each grid ofthe mesh, rather than globally along the surface of the roofingsubstrate.

Generally, the mesh size of the base layer is less than 25 mm. Forexample, it has been found that a base layer with a mesh size betweenabout 1 mm square and 10 mm square is effective for most liquid roofingmaterials. In embodiments, the mesh size is between 1 mm and 25 mm,between 5 mm and 25 mm, between 10 mm and 25 mm, between 1 mm and 20 mm,between 1 mm and 15 mm, between 1 mm and 9 mm, between 1 mm and 8 mm,between 1 mm and 7 mm, between 1 mm and 6 mm, between 1 mm and 5 mm,between 1 mm and 4 mm, between 1 mm and 3 mm, between 1 mm and 2 mm,between 2 mm and 10 mm, between 2 mm and 9 mm, between 2 mm and 8 mm,between 2 mm and 7 mm, between 2 mm and 6 mm, between 2 mm and 5 mm,between 2 mm and 4 mm, between 2 mm and 3 mm, between 3 mm and 10 mm,between 3 mm and 9 mm, between 3 mm and 8 mm, between 3 mm and 7 mm,between 3 mm and 6 mm, between 3 mm and 5 mm, between 3 mm and 4 mm,between 4 mm and 10 mm, between 4 mm and 9 mm, between 4 mm and 8 mm,between 4 mm and 7 mm, between 4 mm and 6 mm, between 4 mm and 5 mm,between 5 mm and 10 mm, between 5 mm and 9 mm, between 5 mm and 8 mm,between 5 mm and 7 mm, between 5 mm and 6 mm, between 6 mm and 10 mm,between 6 mm and 9 mm, between 6 mm and 8 mm, between 6 mm and 7 mm,between 7 mm and 10 mm, between 7 mm and 9 mm, between 7 mm and 8 mm,between 8 mm and 10 mm, between 8 mm and 9 mm, or between 9 mm and 10mm.

Sagging control also can be realized by pre-installation of a base layerincluding a fabric underlayment or pre-sprayed open cell foam as anunderlayment. Such permeable base layers allow effective wetting andsoaking of the liquid roofing material and help maintain the coatingthickness at approximately the thickness of the underlayment material ofthe base layer. Composites of fabric and foam underlayments with a meshmaterial also may be used to control thickness and limit sagging as thebase layer over which the liquid roofing material is applied.

FIGS. 6A-D show the result of a test application of a liquid roofingmaterial 134 to two base layers 130 including two mesh reinforcedfabrics (FIGS. 6A-B) and two fabric underlayments 136 without meshreinforcement (FIGS. 6C-D) at a 90 degree pitch (vertical).Substantially uniform thicknesses were obtained in each case.

FIG. 7 shows a cross section of the resulting coating of the example ofFIGS. 6C-D. For this example, test application, as shown in FIG. 7 , aliquid roofing material 138 including a Roof Mate® topcoat acrylatecoating was applied on a base layer 140 including a Freudenberg 50 gsmPET fabric. The liquid roofing material 138 is seen to have completelysoaked into the base layer 140 and is distributed through the entirethickness thereof. Thus, a substantially uniform thickness defined bythe thickness of the base layer 140 is obtained.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example embodiment wherein a liquid roofingmaterial 142 including a Roofmate® brand liquid roofing material wasapplied to a base layer 144 including a non-woven fabric underlaymentapplied or positioned along a simulated roofing substrate or deck 146for a sloped or pitched roof, arranged at a 60 degree pitch. In thiscase, the base layer 144 was formed to define features mimicking raisedridges along the roofing substrate 146. A membrane 148 of uniformthickness was formed across the fabric 144, including across the raisedridges.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment wherein a roof structure was formed byapplication of a liquid roofing material 150 including a Roofmate® brandliquid roofing material to a base layer 152 comprising a meshunderlayment with small mesh size attached to a wooden surface 154exhibiting gaps 156 between roof slats 158. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the base layer 152 includes a fiberglass mesh with a 1/16 square meshsize applied across the wooden surface 154 spanning the gaps 156. Withthis embodiment, the mesh base layer 152 supported the Roofmate® liquidroofing material 150 and sufficient bridged the gaps 156 withoutpinholes. A membrane 160 formed by the liquid roofing material 150applied to the 1/16 inch mesh base layer 152 also exhibitedsubstantially uniform thickness across the surfaces 154 of the slats 158defining a roofing substrate and spanning the gaps 156 between theslats.

In some examples, a base layer including a mesh underlayment with a meshsize less than ⅛ inch or less than 1/16 inch can be used, such as a meshsize between 1/64 inch and ⅛ inch, between 1/64 and 1/16 inch, between1/64 and 1/32 inch, between 1/32 and ⅛ inch, between 1/32 and 1/16 inch,between 1/16 inch and ⅛ inch.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10 , flowing and sagging of aliquid roofing material 160 can be controlled by use of a base layer 162incorporating physical flow restraining features or portions 164 into afabric or composite underlayment 166. FIG. 10 illustrates an example ofthis wherein the flow restraining features 164 include an array ofU-shaped cups or fins that are incorporated into an underlayment 166.Other, varying configuration and/or size restraining features orportions also can be used. The restraining features 164 are arranged inthe array so that the features of one row of features overlap thefeatures of adjacent rows of features. In this way, a flow of liquidroofing material applied to the base layer 162 that would evade thefeatures 164 of one row is encountered by the next row so that flowingand sagging overall is contained and restrained.

Still further, flowing and sagging of a liquid roofing material can becontrolled with bulking materials applied concomitantly with the liquidroofing material in the same area. FIG. 11A illustrates an embodimentwherein a liquid roofing material 170 is applied, such as by spraying orotherwise distributing the liquid roofing material onto a surface 172while bulking materials 174 are concomitantly projected into the liquidroofing material. For example, the bulking materials 174 can include astring or yarn are projected or otherwise positions onto the same area.In one embodiment, the string or yarn bulk materials can be projectedonto the area using compressed air. FIG. 11B shows the result, and asshown in FIG. 11B, the bulking materials 174, e.g., string or yarn orother bulking material, becomes a tangled non-woven mat that is embeddedin the resulting membrane. The string or yarn bulking materials 174 addsbulk to the resulting roofing membrane and resists flowing and saggingof the liquid roofing 170 material before it cures. Additional layers ofliquid roofing material also may be applied to create a further unitarywaterproof membrane if desired.

The systems and methods of forming steep slope roofs using liquidroofing materials according to principles of the present disclosure havebeen described above in terms of various example embodiments andmethodologies. However, it will be appreciated by the skilled artisanthat a wide gamut of additions, deletions, and modifications, bothsubtle and gross, might be made to the illustrated examples withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 12A-12B are schematic illustrations showing a roof mountedstructure in the form of a ridge vent structure 11 for use with a liquidapplied roof, for forming a steep slope roof structure. Roof decksections 12 and 13 meet at a ridge of the roof and a ridge slot 15 iscut along the ridge through which hot attic air can vent. A base layer14, which can include a mesh fabric underlayment or other underlayment,may be applied to the roof deck sections 12 and 13 in preparation forreceiving a liquid roofing material or product. Alternatively, the roofdeck sections 12 and 13 can be left exposed without an underlayment ifdesired.

A ridge vent 20 extends along the ridge of the roof and covers the ridgeslot 15. The ridge vent 20, which may be fabricated of injection moldedplastic, includes an elongated flexible panel 17 having a centralportion and edge portions. While the central panel 17 is illustrated asa simple arch in FIGS. 12A-12B, it will be understood that the centralpanels of ridge vents can take on any of a number of shapes. Ventilationgrids 18 depend from a bottom surface of the flexible panel 17 andextend along each of its edge portions. The ventilation grids 18 allowescaping attic air to flow to the edge portions of the panel 17 and toescape to the atmosphere through the ventilation grids.

A base 16 extends outwardly from beneath each ventilation grid beyondthe extreme edges of the panel 17 in this example. In FIG. 12A, thebases 16 are made of a fabric or other mesh material that is pervious toa liquid roofing material to be applied to the roof. The fabric or meshmaterial of the base 16 may be the same as the underlayment of baselayer 14, and can be formed as a portion or extension thereof, or it canbe a completely different material so long as it is permeable to aliquid roofing material. The ridge vent 20 is positioned on the roofextending along the roof ridge with its bases 16 resting on the fabricor mesh underlayment 14 covering the roof substrate or deck sections 12and 13, and can be secured thereto with fasteners, adhesives or otherattachment mechanisms. Alternatively, the bases 16 can be secureddirectly to the roof substrate or deck sections 12 and 13, withfasteners, etc. . . . extending therethrough and into the roof decksections, and the fabric or mesh underlayment base layer 14 can beinstalled overlapping the bases of the ridge vent. Where no underlaymentis used, the bases 16 can be installed directly on the deck sections 12and 13.

With the ridge vent installed, the roof can be coated with a liquidroofing material deposited or applied with a sprayer, roller, or otherapplicator to waterproof and provide protection to the roof. Duringapplication, the liquid roofing material is applied over the bases 16 ofthe ridge vent. While still in its liquid state, the liquid roofingmaterial penetrates the pervious material of the bases 16 and penetratesthe material of the base layer 14 if present. In addition, the liquidroofing material will flow into fastener openings formed in the roofdeck sections and bases 16/base layer 14 by fasteners securing the ridgevent, so as to seal such openings. When the product cures, the bases 16and the base layer 14 become embedded and integrated within theresulting membrane and ensure that a continuous waterproof layer isformed over the entire area covered by the bases 16.

FIG. 12B shows an alternate embodiment. All elements are the same as inthe embodiment of FIG. 12A except that the bases 21 are formed of a morerigid but impervious material such as plastic. In this embodiment, anarray of holes 22 is formed through the bases 21. The bases 21themselves are raised above the surfaces of the roof deck sections 12and 13 by a plurality of spacers 23 creating a space below each base. Aliquid roofing material is applied to the roof to cover the bases 21.While the liquid roofing material is still in its liquid state, theliquid roofing material seeps through the holes 22 formed through eachbase to fill the space below. When the liquid roofing material cures,the bases 21 become embedded in the resulting membrane again forming awaterproof layer over the entire area covered by the bases 21.

Many other roof mounted structures also can be used along steep slope,residential roofs with a liquid roofing material using the systems andmethods according to embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 13Ashow a more generic roof mounted structure 26 in the form here of atwirl vent 27. A fabric or mesh base 28 projects outwardly from thebottom of the structure 26 and is pervious to a liquid roofing material.The structure 26 is mounted to a roof deck with fasteners extendingthrough the base 28. The base 28 can rest atop an underlayment fabricpreviously applied to a roof deck, or an underlayment fabric can be laidover the base 28, or the base 28 can be secured directly to a roof deckif an underlayment is not to be used, and secured thereto with fastenerssuch as screws, bolts, adhesives, or other attachment mechanisms. Aliquid roofing material is applied overlying the base 28 and penetratesthe base and underlayment base layer along the roof substrate, and flowsinto the fastener openings created by the securing fasteners, forming acontinuous waterproof membrane around the structure 26.

FIG. 13B shows an alternate embodiment of a roof mounted structure 26for use with liquid roofing materials. Here, a rigid, substantiallyimpervious base 29 projects outwardly from the bottom of the roofmounted structure 26. An array of holes 31 is formed through the base 29and the base 29 is intermittently dimpled as shown at 33 to form spacers32 beneath the base. In this way, the base 29 rests on the spacers 32forming a space between the base 29 and the underlying deck orunderlayment fabric of the base layer. A liquid roofing material isapplied overlying the base 29. While still in a liquid state, the liquidroofing material penetrates through the holes 31 of the base 29 andfills the space below. Thus, the base 29 becomes embedded in andintegrated with the resulting roofing membrane, forming a water tightseal around the structure 26.

FIGS. 14-15 and 16A-16B illustrate additional embodiments of a roofmounted structure, here shown as a drip edge 36. FIG. 14 shows in theupper illustration a short section of the drip edge 36, which in realityis much longer and is designed to be installed along the lower edge of asloped roof. The drip edge 36 in this embodiment includes a rigid orsemi-rigid forward edge 37 from which a support flange 30 extendsrearwardly. A base of a pervious fabric or mesh material 38 extendsrearwardly from the rear edge of the support flange 30. As shown in thelower portion of FIG. 14 , the drip edge 36 is installed along a loweredge of a roof deck 39 with the forward edge 37 covering the edge andthe base 38 resting on the roof deck, and secured to the roof deck suchas by fasteners, adhesives or other attachment mechanisms.

A base layer, which can include a fabric underlayment 41 may then beapplied to the roof deck 39 with its lower edge overlapping the base 38of the drip edge 36. Fasteners 42 can be used to attach the base layer41 and the base 38 to the roof deck 39. When a liquid roofing material43 is applied to the roof deck 39 it will flow along and cover the baseand base layer/underlayment, as well as flowing into and sealingfasteners openings created by the fasteners; and as the liquid roofingmaterial cures, the base 38 and base layer along the lower edge of theroof deck become embedded in and integrated with the resulting membrane.Accordingly, a waterproof barrier will be formed all the way to theforward edge 37 of the drip edge 36. Water is drained, without leaking,to the forward edge 37, where it drips or flows safely off the roof.

FIG. 15 shows another example of a steep slope roof structure with adrip edge that embodies principles of the present disclosure. In thisembodiment, a pervious base 46 projects rearwardly directly from aforward edge 44 rather from the rear edge of a support flange 30 as inFIG. 14 . However, the base 46 in this embodiment is sufficiently rigidto support the forward edge 44 without the rearwardly extending supportflange 30. This embodiment can be less costly than that of FIG. 14because less plastic is used. Installation of this embodiment, shown inFIG. 15 , is similar to installation of the embodiment of FIG. 14 .Again, a waterproof barrier is formed all the way to the forward edge 44to prevent leaks along a lower edge of a roof deck.

FIG. 16A shows an example of yet another embodiment of a drip edge 47according to principles of the present disclosure. Here, the entire dripedge 47 is extruded or otherwise formed from a more rigid yet perviousmaterial. The drip edge 47 is positioned along a lower edge of a roofdeck and its rearwardly extending base portion is secured to the roofdeck, and overlapped with an underlayment fabric 41. Fasteners securethe drip edge 47 and the base layer/underlayment fabric 41 to the roofdeck along its edge. A liquid roofing material 43 is applied to the roofdeck, penetrating and encapsulating the base layer and the drip edge inthe resulting membrane, as well as flowing into the fasteners openingsand about the fasteners securing the drip edge to the roof deck. In thisembodiment, however, the liquid roofing material 43 is applied tooverlap the forward edge of the drip edge 47. When the liquid roofingmaterial 43 cures to form a waterproof membrane, the entire drip edge 47becomes embedded in and integrated with the membrane. This forms awaterproof edge that sheds rainwater effectively from the lower edge ofa roof deck.

FIG. 16B shows an example of yet another embodiment of a drip edge 52.Here, the drip edge 52 is formed or a rigid material, such as plastic ormetal, and has a forward edge 53 and a rearwardly extending base 54. Thebase 54 is formed with an array of openings 56 extending therethrough. Aplurality of spacers 57 project downwardly from the base 54 and rest ona roof deck 51, which may be pre-covered with a mesh 50, to define aspace between the base 54 and the roof deck. The drip edge 52 is securedto the roof deck with fasteners that can extend through the base and thespace defined between the base and roof deck. When a liquid roofingmaterial is applied to the roof, the material flows through the openingsto fill the space below the base 54, as well as flowing about thefasteners and into fastener openings formed thereby. In this way, thebase 54 becomes encapsulated in the membrane that results when theliquid roofing material cures to form a water proof interface betweenthe roof membrane and the drip edge.

In the foregoing, non-limiting examples of liquid roofing materials mayinclude Unisil® HS, Roofmate® acrylic, Hydrostop®, all available fromGAF of Parsippany, N.J., as well as silicone and other materialsdesigned to be applied as a liquid to seal a roof. In the aboveexamples, the rigid base may be made of metal, plastic, rubber, oranother appropriately rigid material that provides sufficient support.The permeable or porous bases and/or base layers in the above examplesfurther may be made of polyester, polyethylene, fiberglass, orcombinations thereof among other materials. The bases may have athickness from 3 mils to 50 mils, such as, for example, from 5 mils to50 mils, 10 mils to 50 mils, 15 mils to 50 mils, 20 mils to 50 mils, 25mils to 50 mils, 30 mils to 50 mils, 35 mils to 50 mils, 40 mils to 50mils, 45 mils to 50 mils, 5 mils to 45 mils, 5 mils to 40 mils, 5 milsto 35 mils, 5 mils to 30 mils, 5 mils to 25 mils, 5 mils to 20 mils, 5mils to 15 mils, 5 mils to 10 mils, 10 mils to 40 mils, 10 mils to 30mils, 20 mils to 40 mils, 20 mils to 30 mils, 3 mils to 40 mils, 3 milsto 30 mils, 3 mils to 20 mils, 3 mils to 15 mils, or 3 mils to 10 mils,and may be coated with a material such as a polymeric material, e.g.,PVC. The following table shows characteristics of a porous base suitablefor use in the examples presented above.

Pattern 8 × 7.5 yarns/in 5 × 5 yarns/in Tensile 60 × 65 lbs/in 50 × 45lbs./in 60 × 45 lbs/in Elongation Less than 5 to 10% Weight 2 to 4oz./yd² Coating PVC

The terms hydrophobic and hydrophobicity as used herein carry thetraditional meaning of a material resulting in a water contact anglegreater than ninety degrees (90°) as measured through a water droplet ona surface of the material. Such a material repels water. The termslipophilic and lipophilicity as used herein means a material thatabsorbs, attracts, or mixes with fats, oils, lipids, and non-polarsolvents such as hexane or toluene. Such a material absorbs oils andoil-based solvents and liquids and/or include materials that can combinewith or dissolve in lipids or fats.

In still further embodiments, a temporary roofing material may be formedof a base layer formed from a web or sheet of mesh, fabric, or othermaterial properly dimensioned to be rolled out and secured on a damagedroof deck, perhaps in overlapping courses. The base layer may have athickness from about 3 mils to about 50 mils and may comprise polyester,metal, fiberglass, or another appropriate material. For example, thebase layer may have a thickness from 5 mils to 50 mils, 10 mils to 50mils, 15 mils to 50 mils, 20 mils to 50 mils, 25 mils to 50 mils, 30mils to 50 mils, 35 mils to 50 mils, 40 mils to 50 mils, 45 mils to 50mils, 5 mils to 45 mils, 5 mils to 40 mils, 5 mils to 35 mils, 5 mils to30 mils, 5 mils to 25 mils, 5 mils to 20 mils, 5 mils to 15 mils, 5 milsto 10 mils, 10 mils to 40 mils, 10 mils to 30 mils, 20 mils to 40 mils,20 mils to 30 mils, 3 mils to 40 mils, 3 mils to 30 mils, 3 mils to 20mils, 3 mils to 15 mils, or 3 mils to 10 mils.

The base layer web or sheet may be coated with lipophilic material suchas wax, silicone oils, or other appropriate lipophilic materials. Thebase web or sheet exhibits hydrophobicity and lipophilicity, meaningthat it repels rainwater but allows oil-based materials to soak through.In this way, the temporary roof protects the building below fromrainwater.

In one embodiment, hydrophobic properties of the base layer may beachieved by embossing, imprinting, or etching the surface of the web ofthe base layer with micro or nanostructures that create the lotus effecton the surface of the web (lotus effect structures).

In another embodiment, the base layer may be a multi-layer compositematerial such as a lipophilic mesh or fabric with a thin layer of ahydrophobic protective sheet laminated to a top surface thereof. In suchan embodiment, the protective sheet can be removed just before applyinga permanent roofing material such as a liquid roofing material. In thisway, the temporary roofing web repels water while exposed, but absorbsan oil-based liquid roofing material when the permanent roof isinstalled.

In another embodiment, the temporary roofing web may achievehydrophobicity using an ingredient on the web that is removed ordissolved during application of a permanent liquid roofing material. Forexample, the web may have a layer of wax that exhibits high solubilityto lipophilic material on its top surface that is dissolved away uponcontact with a liquid roofing material with lower solids content andhigher solvent content. A non-limiting example of such a wax is paraffinand a non-limiting example of a suitable liquid roofing material isUnisil® LS available from GAF of Parsippany, N.J. Such an embodimenteliminates the need to peel off a protective layer before applying thepermanent roofing material.

The temporary roofing system may be installed quickly and easily onto aroof deck or substrate by rolling out the web onto the substrate andattaching it with staples of fasteners. Alternatively, adhesive may beused or the back of the web may be supplied with a contact orpeel-and-stick adhesive that adheres to the roof structure as the web isrolled out.

The lipophilic portion of the temporary roofing web is constructed toallow a liquid roofing material to penetrate through and form contactwith the roof deck and structures below. Thus, a tight, monolithic,waterproof envelope is formed atop an entire residential roof uponapplication of the liquid roofing material over the temporary roofingweb. Accordingly, the temporary roofing web may be left in place uponinstallation of the liquid applied roof.

The foregoing description generally illustrates and describes variousembodiments of the present disclosure. It will, however, be understoodby those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications canbe made to the above-discussed construction of the present disclosurewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure asdisclosed herein, and that it is intended that all matter contained inthe above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall beinterpreted as being illustrative, and not to be taken in a limitingsense. Furthermore, the scope of the present disclosure shall beconstrued to cover various modifications, combinations, additions,alterations, etc., above and to the above-described embodiments, whichshall be considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.Accordingly, various features and characteristics of the presentdisclosure as discussed herein may be selectively interchanged andapplied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of thedisclosure, and numerous variations, modifications, and additionsfurther can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: applying a base layer over aroofing substrate of a roof; wherein the base layer comprises at leastone of a mesh, woven fabric, non-woven fabric, plastic, foam material orcombinations thereof; wherein the roof comprises a sloped roof, and theroofing substrate comprises a slope of at least 30 degrees; applying aliquid roofing material over the base layer, such that the liquidapplied roofing material penetrates through at least a portion of thebase layer so as to substantially seal the base layer; and wherein thebase layer is configured to control flowing of the liquid roofingmaterial along the slope of the roofing substrate as the liquid roofingmaterial is distributed along the roofing substrate; curing the liquidapplied roofing material to form a substantially uniform covering alongthe roofing substrate.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the applyingthe base layer comprises attaching the base layer to the roofingsubstrate using fasteners.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprisingpositioning an underlayment along at least a portion of the roofingsubstrate.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the underlayment ispositioned with at least a portion of the underlayment partiallyoverlapping the base layer; and wherein the underlayment is permeable soas to enable penetration of at least a portion of the liquid roofingmaterial therethrough.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the base layercomprises a plurality of restraining features arranged along an uppersurface thereof; wherein the restraining features are configured torestrain at least a portion of the liquid roofing material along theroofing substrate to control the flowing and sagging of the liquidroofing material along the sloped roof as the liquid roofing material isdistributed along the upper surface of the base layer.
 6. The method ofclaim 5, wherein the restraining features comprise projections, cuts,cups, fins, tabs, or combinations thereof, positioned along the baselayer.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising introducing fillers,bulking materials, or combinations thereof into the liquid roofingmaterial prior to applying the liquid roofing material to the baselayer.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising attaching a roofmounted structure over the base layer and to the roofing substrate withfasteners, wherein a portion of the base layer extends past at least aportion of a bottom surface of the roof mounted structure; and whereinthe liquid roofing material is adapted to flow about the fasteners andat least partially into openings formed in the roofing substrate by thefasteners.
 9. A temporary roofing system comprising: a base layer havinglipophilic properties and adapted to be applied to a roofing substrate;a protective layer positioned along an upper facing surface of the baselayer, the protective layer comprising a hydrophobic material; whereinthe protective layer is removable and is adapted to reduce water flowthrough the base layer; and wherein the base layer is configured toreceive a liquid roofing material to form a permanent roofing structure.10. The temporary roofing system of claim 9, wherein the protectivelayer comprises a sheet of the hydrophobic material releasably attachedto the upper facing surface of the base layer.
 11. The temporary roofingsystem of claim 9, wherein the base layer further comprises a permeablemesh or fabric configured to be overlaid onto the roofing substrate, andhaving a lipophilic coating applied thereto.
 12. The temporary roofingsystem of claim 11, wherein the lipophilic coating comprises a materialadapted to dissolve upon contact with the liquid roofing material. 13.The temporary roofing system of claim 9, wherein the base layer furthercomprises a plurality of restraining features adapted to restrain atleast a portion of the liquid roofing material along the roofingsubstrate to control flowing and sagging of the liquid roofing materialof the liquid roofing material.
 14. A method, comprising: obtaining abase layer comprising a mesh, woven fabric, non-woven fabric, plastic,foam material or combinations thereof; positioning the base layer overat least a portion of a roofing substrate of a roof; and coating thebase layer with a liquid roofing material; wherein the base layer isconfigured to allow penetration of the liquid roofing materialtherethrough; wherein the base layer comprises features adapted torestrain flow of the liquid roofing material along the roofing substrateto control flowing and sagging of the liquid roofing material along theroofing substrate as the liquid roofing material is distributed along anupper surface of the base layer to form a substantially uniform coatingalong the roofing substrate; wherein the roof comprises a sloped roof,and the roofing substrate comprises a slope of at least 30 degrees. 15.The method of claim 14, wherein obtaining the base layer comprisesobtaining a permeable web or sheet configured with the features adaptedto restrain flow of the liquid roofing material along the roofingsubstrate; wherein the features comprise bulking materials, fillers,projections, cuts, cups, fins, tabs, or combinations thereof.
 16. Themethod of claim 14, further comprising introducing fillers, bulkingmaterials, or combinations thereof, into the liquid roofing materialduring or prior to coating the base layer with the liquid roofingmaterial, the bulking materials forming at least some of the featuresadapted to restrain the flow of the liquid roofing material along theroofing substrate.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the fillers,bulking materials, or combinations thereof, comprise beads, particles,string, yarn, or combinations thereof; and wherein introducing thefillers, bulking materials, or combinations thereof, into the liquidroofing material comprises projecting the fillers, bulking materials, orcombinations thereof, onto the roofing substrate concomitantly with theliquid roofing material.
 18. The method of claim 14, further comprisingattaching a roof mounted structure to the roofing substrate withfasteners; wherein the liquid roofing material is adapted to flow aboutthe fasteners and at least partially into openings formed in the roofingsubstrate by the fasteners.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein coatingthe base layer with a liquid roofing material comprises applying onlyone liquid roofing material to the roofing substrate.
 20. The method ofclaim 14, wherein coating the base layer with a liquid roofing materialfurther comprises applying one or more additional liquid roofingmaterials along the roofing substrate.